Transcript

00:00:01

>> The EU's big ticket trade deals might never be punched. A planned agreement with the US looks doomed with both Germany and France voicing discontent. A similar deal with Canada has more life, but not much. That's despite all EU leaders in principle being signed up to them. Reuters' Phil Blankenstop in Brussels says public mistrust of them often permeates into domestic politics.

00:00:26

>> When it comes to election time, that's the point at which perhaps the French, perhaps some in Germany, some in the Netherlands even. Obviously these countries have elections next year. That's the point of which some of these politicians then do have cold feet.>> The sheer number of those at the table, another hindrance to smooth trade talks.

00:00:44

28 member states must all speak in unison, making things more complicated, that's soon to be 27. Britain is heading for the exiting door. And this all comes as potential talks with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand loom in the background.>> If these countries see that it's very difficult to either A, get a deal with the EU or even if you do get a deal, it's very difficult for the EU to push it through.

00:01:09

If they see that this great reluctance to strike and indeed deliver a free trade deal on the part of the European Union, then they're probably gonna question whether it's worth even trying at all.>> The reality is, in the wake of Brexit, it might all end up on the back burner.

00:01:27

The EU's most important new trade deal over the coming years is likely to be with a current member.